It’s a beautiful spring day, and you and your best friend decide to go on an adventure, hiking in the woods. As the sun streams through the treetops, you walk along the trails, enjoying the smells of the plants and the sounds of the birds in the air.
As you approach a log blocking the path, you notice something strange at its base. It almost looks like a snake… But not quite. What could it be? As you get closer, you realize it’s a long piece of snake skin!
After checking the area to make sure there are no real snakes nearby, you pick up the snake skin and examine it more closely. You can see the shapes created by the scales and the patterns they make. You begin to wonder…
WHY DO SNAKES SHED THEIR SKIN?
The simple answer is that snakes shed their skin because they are like all other animals. All animals shed their skin – even you! In mammals, especially humans, it is an ongoing process that is rarely noticed.
Skin shedding in reptiles is different. Instead of a continuous process, reptiles shed skin periodically. Snakes are even more unique in that their skin usually comes off in one piece. If you’ve ever seen a snake skin, it almost looks like the snake has just slipped out of its skin, almost like taking off a sock! Scientists call this process “exuviation“, although you may also hear the term “shedding” used more commonly.
Snakes shed their skin to allow for growth and to remove parasites that may have attached themselves to their old skin (this old skin is called “exuviation”). As a snake grows, its skin stretches. Unlike human skin, a snake’s skin does not grow with the animal’s skin. Over time, a snake’s skin reaches a point where further growth is no longer possible.
When this happens, a new layer of skin develops under the current layer. As soon as it is finished, the old skin peels off, leaving behind a snake-like shell and any parasites that may have attached to it.
HOW DO THEY REMOVE IT?
To leave their old skin behind, snakes may go swimming to allow the water to loosen it even more. When they are ready to shed the old skin, they create a tear in the old skin, usually in the mouth or nose. They often do this by rubbing against a hard, rough object, like a rock or log.
Once the old skin layer has been pierced, the snake will work its way through the old layer until it is completely removed. If you find a snake skin in the wild, you will notice that it is usually upside down and in one piece.
HOW OFTEN DO SNAKES SHED THEIR SKIN?
These ophidians change their skin often. The average snake sheds its skin two to four times a year. However, this average varies with age and species. Young, growing snakes may shed their skin every two weeks! Older snakes shed their skin only twice a year.
Here is a short video that shows how snakes shed 🐍:
You too can change your skin with our collections of Snake Clothing for Women and Men! Embrace a wild style with your favorite animals! 🐍